BNP allowed to hold Cumilla rally on 10 conditions

BNP has been given the go-ahead by the local administration for its Cumilla city rally on 10 conditions that include imposing a bar on the party men entering the venue before the rally day.

The rally is scheduled to be held on the city's Town Hall premises on November 26, according to media reports.

"BNP leaders and activists will not be allowed to stay inside the venue before the event. They will be allowed to enter the venue only on the rally day," said Shiuly Rahman Tinni, additional district magistrate of Cumilla.

"We have decided to impose the restriction so that none can create any chaos and resort to subversive activities centring on the rally," she added.

However, the BNP leaders think the condition is a government's strategy to obstruct the party men from joining the rally.

Earlier, the government-backed transport operators imposed strikes ahead of BNP rallies in Mymensingh, Khulna, Rangpur, Barishal, Faridpur and Sylhet.

The conditions for Cumilla rally include the rally must end by 4:30pm; limited use of the microphones; there can be no procession or motorcycle 'showdown'; no statements can be made demeaning the country's independence, sovereignty, social and religious values, and tarnishing the image of the state and threatening national security.

Besides, the organisers will have to take the responsibility if BNP leaders and workers create any kind of chaos, as per the condition.

Others conditions are limited use of banners and festoons; no sticks can be used as flag stands; vehicles cannot be brought inside the city; the road cannot be closed, and nothing can be done that could deteriorate law and order.